Maresca confirms Nicolas Jackson is free to leave and wants Nkunku out the door

CHELSEA manager Enzo Maresca would rather risk a striker crisis than keep unhappy pair Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

Wantaway forwards Jackson and Nkunku will be left out of the Blues squad for Friday's Prem trip to West Ham, despite BOTH being fit.

Arsenal were forced back into the transfer market when Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that left Viktor Gyokeres as their only available centre-forward.

When asked if it might be better to keep  Jackson as back-up to new signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, Maresca said: “It’s better for Nico if what he desires is going to happen.

“He is available, but he’s not going to be part of the squad because we have two players in that position — and we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes.

“The player is open to leave. If he finds a good solution, he’s going to leave.

“Christo is with us like Nico, but it’s the same answer as Nico. We’ll see if they’re going to be here.

“It’s always better if they find a solution, as they are going to be more happy —  and the club the same.

"But you need someone that is going to buy you. It’s not so easy.”

Newcastle, Aston Villa, Napoli and others have all shown interest in Jackson —  without indicating they will meet Chelsea’s £60m-plus valuation.

The Blues are not prepared to send the strikers out on loan, the option Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig would prefer for Nkunku.

If both end up leaving, Maresca will be happy with the options Pedro and Delap offer.

He said: “Pedro probably gives us more than Liam in small spaces.

"Liam probably gives us a little bit more in terms of physicality, in terms of runs in behind.

“So it depends a little bit on the game plan.”

But neither Pedro nor sub Delap came close to breaking the deadlock in last Sunday’s 0-0 home draw with Crystal Palace.

So while the futures of  Nkunku and Jackson remain uncertain, there is no doubt Maresca will already be under pressure if the Blues fail to beat the Hammers without them.

But the Italian is boosted by the return of defender Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of Friday's clash.